Road drag and grader.



B. WHITTEMORE.

ROAD DRAG AND GRADER.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 11, 191s.

Patented Apr. 21, 1914.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH Co.,w/\SHINGTON. D. c.

13.'WHITTLn/loms.

ROAD DRAG AND GRADER.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 11, M1313. 1,093,814. Y PatenaApr.-21-,1914

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

COLUMBIA PLANDGRAPH C0.. WASHINGTON, DA 0.

IBENNIE WHITTEMORE, OF .ALBERT LEA, MINNESOTA.

ROAD DRAG .AND GRADER.

To all whom t may concern.' j

Be it known that I, BENNIE lVi-rrrrmronn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Albert Lea, in the county of Freeborn and State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Road Drags and Graders; andI do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My present invention has for its object to provide an extremely simple and highly efiicient combined road drag and grader, and to such ends, generally stated, the invention consists of the novel devices and combinations of devices hereinafter described and defined in the claims.

Machines designed for use solely as road drags do not materially change the general form of a road bed, but distribute loose earth into depressions and pack the same in the road bed without tearing up the hard packed crust of the road bed.

Machines designed solely for use as road graders will tear up the hard formed crust of the road bed even at places where it is very undesirable that the formed -crust should be disturbed.

Many road beds which are hard packed over the main central portion, have sod and weeds grown up at the sides and have an accumulation of loose dirt. The general practice with the separately constructed road drags and graders on a road bed, such as just described, would be to irst run the grader over the road bed and cut the sod and weeds at the sides of the road bed and to gather up the loose dirt; and then subsequently, to complete the road bed by the use of the drag. But the action of the grader, necessarily, to a greater or less extent, will tear up good an well packed portions of the road bed so that a very great amount of dragging would be required to restore the main body of the road bed to its previously wall packed condition. In fact, no amount of dragging which would be practicable, would again restore the body of the road bed to its previously hard packed condition. Nothing but actual trallic will accomplish this.

In my improved combined road drag and grader, I provide adjustable drag bars,

the under surfaces of which are so hori-' Specification of Letters Patent.

Appncaaon inea september 11, i913.

Patented Apr. 21, 1914. sei-iai No. vsaass.

zontally extended `or formed that they will not cut through the hard crust of the road bed, and I provide on the outer portions of these drag bars scraper blades or knives which will cut through the sod or will cut off weeds at the sides of the road, and in cooperation with the drag bars, will direct the same toward the center of the road bed and properly distribute the same. In fact, in this improved arrangement, the drag bars serve as gages to limit the depth of cut of the scraper blades.

The improved machine also involves various other novel and highly important features of construction which very greatly increases the efficiency and decreases the cost either of a combined road drag and grader, or of a road drag, or of a road grader.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate the improved machine designed as above stated, as a combined drag and road grader, like characters indicate like parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings: Figure 1 is a plan view showing the complete machine; Fig. 2 vis a side elevation of the machine, some parts being sectioned on the line m2 m2 on Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section taken on the line ma ac3 on Fig. 1.

The framework of this machine is made up primarily of a heavy central beam l, and a transverse beam 2, which parts are rigidly connected together in the form of a cross by bolts 3, or otherwise. Preferably, both the center beam 1 and cross beam 2 are made from commercial rolled channel beams and are positioned with their flanges turned upward. Just in front of the cross bar 2, the center beam 1 is sectioned and provided with a strong hinge joint indicated at 4. For the sake of economy, the front end portion of the center beam 1 is made up of a channel about one inch wider than the main body of the said beam l, so that its flanges will embrace the front end and form the hinge joint, simply by a bolt passed through the overlapped lianges thereof. To forma rigid brace between the outer ends of the cross beam 2 and the intermediateportion of the center beam 1, I provide a yoke or approximately V-shaped metal bar 5. The rear portion of the brace 5 may be rigidly secured to the beam 1 by rivets or bolts, and the front end portions of the said brace are preferably rigidly secured to the ends of the 11.0

cross beam 2 by U-bolts 6 that embrace the said beam 2 and are passed through ianges of the brace bar V5. The projecting front ends of the brace bar 5 are pivotally connected by bolts or pins 7 to the rear ends of a brace bar or yoke 8, the intermediate portion of whi-ch is secured by rivets, or otherwise, to the pivoted front end portion of the center beam. The pivots 7 are located in axial line with the hinge bolt l so that the front end portion of the center beam is free for vertical pivotal movements in respect to the rear or main body portion of the center beam.

Extension beams 9 are mounted to slide teleseopically within the channel of the cross beam 2 and they are passed under the front end portions of the brace 5, so that the latter aords keepers for holding the said extension bars within the channel of the said cross beam. The said extension bars 9, as shown, are in the form of channels having their flanges turned downward.

The numeral 10 indicates a follower that extends `transversely of the rear portion of the center beam 1 and is mounted for forward and rearward sliding movements thereon. As shown, the sliding connection between Vthe follower beam 10 and center beam 1, is afforded by guide yokes 11` rigidly secured to theiianges of the said follower bar and loosely embracing the center beam. This follower bar 10, as shown, is extended below the center beam and is in the form of a channel having its flanges turned upward.

The numeral 12 indicates forwardly diverging drag bars located one on each side of the conter beam and pivotally connected at their rear ends to the outer ends of the follower bar 10, by means of bolts 13, and pivotally connected at their front ends to the outer ends of the extension bars 9 by means of bolts 14. These so-called drag bars 12V are preferably formed from coml Y mercial steel channel beams and are set with their anges extending horizontally outward. Scraper blades 12l or knives, in the form of flat steel blades, are bolted, riveted, or otherwise, rigidly secured to the front end portions of the drag beam 12 and extend a considerable distance on the said drag bars toward the rear ends thereof. To adapt the rear inner ends of the drag bars 12 to be spaced at variable distances apart, I provide the follower bar 10 with longitudinally spaced perforations 15 through any of which the pivot bolts 13 are adapted to be passed.

The numeral 16 indicates an auxiliary drag or scraper blade applied at the rear of the rear ends of the drag bars 12 and spacing the distance between the same. This auxiliary drag or scraper is made approximately V-shape or is otherwise rearwardly bent, sorthat it will scrape the dirt delivered road bed. To make this auxiliary scraper vertically adjustable, its front ends are pivotally connected at 17 to the downturned ends of the follower bar 10. To impart vertical angular adjustments of the auxiliary scraper 16, the following operatingcounections are employed: Of the parts thereof, the numeral 18 indicates a horizontal bar connected by parallel links 19 to the rear end portion of the center beam 1. The rear intermediate portion of the auxiliary scraper 1G is provided with an upwardly extended lug 2O that loosely embraces and is adapted to slide on the bar 1S. The front link 19 is connected by a rod 21 to a depending arm of a treadle that is pivotally connected to the center beam 1 and is provided with reversely extended foot pieces 22 and 23.

The numeral 2-1 indicates a small wheel journaled to a wheel yoke 25, the trunnion of which is journaled in a suitable bearing on the front end of the hinged front section of the center beam 1. Parallel arms 26 are secured to the wheel yoke 25, one of said arms being above and the other thereof being below the hinged front section of the center beam 1. A draft equalizer' 27 is pivotally connected to the front ends of the arms 26.

The numeral 28 indicates a long lifting lever, the front end of which connected by a link 29 to the front portion of the hinged front section of the center beam. This lifting lever 28 is fulerumed to the bearing 30, shown as secured on the hinged front section of the center beam 1, just in front of the hinge. At its rear end, this lever 28 is adapted to be engaged with and locked to an ordinary toothed latch ment 31 secured on the intermediate portion of the rear main section of the center beam 1.

Cables 32 are attached to the free front ends of the drag beam 12 and from thence, are passed over idle guide sheaves 33 applied to the front end of the hinged front section of the center beam 1. From the sheaves 33, the cables 32 are passed rearward in the channel of the center beam, and are connected to a windlass drum 34- journaled to the flanges of the center beam 1, at the rear of the cross beam 2. This windlass drum 34, at one end, has a ratchet wheel 35 that is engaged by a retaining dog 36. A latch lever 37 is pivoted on the projecting shaft of the drum 3i and cooperates with the ratchet wheel 35 to wind the cables upon the drum 34.

Operation: When the machine is drawn forward, it is evident that the scraping or dragging pressure on the bars 12 will force the front ends of the same outward as far as permitted by the cables 32, hence, by adjustthereto toward the center or crown of the l ments of the cables, the angle in which the drag bars 12 will work may be varied, at will, and, of course, the distance between the front ends thereof may be varied to give the desired width of scrape or drag. By adjustments of the pivotal connection between the rear ends of the drag bars l2 and the follower bar 10, the width of the crown of the road bed may be varied, this crown being represented by that portion of the road bed which is not dragged by the bars 12, but may be shaped by the auxiliary scraper 16. The crown of the road bed may be given more or less bevel by the adjustable auxiliary scraper 16. Of course, all loose dirt scraped inward of the bars 12 to points between the rear ends of the said bars, will be gathered up and carried and distributed by the said auxiliary scraper 16 unless, of course, said auxiliary scraper be raised into an inoperative position. When the front ends of the bars 12 are drawn inward by means of the cable 32 and its windlass, the follower bar 10 will be caused to slide rearward on the center beam 1 and, conversely, when the front ends of the said beams 12 are moved outward, the said follower 10 will move forward on the center beam. This movement of the follower bar 1() is necessary to permit the telescopic movements of the extension bars 9 in the cross bar 2. The lower edges of the scraper blades or knives 12a will cut sod or hard dirt or weeds or light undergrowth from the sides of the road and will carry the same inward to points where they will be taken up and distributed by the drag bars 12. As already stated, the depth of cut of the said blades 12a is limited by the flanges or flat undersurfaces of the drag bars 12, so that it is impossible to take too great a cut. All the while that this cut is being made the under flanges of the drag bars 12 have the desired dragging and packing action in the road bed over which they are drawn. The scraper blades 12a and the front ends of the drag bars 12 and of the center beams 1 may be raised by lifting the rear end of the long lever 28. This adjustment permits the scraper blades to be lifted over an obstruction or onto the approach of a bridge, and it also permits adjustments to vary the cutting action of the blades 12a, as required in different conditions and kinds of soil. Also by forcing the rear end of the lever 28 downward, and locking the same to the latch bar 31, increased pressure may be put on the front ends of the drag bars 12, and hence, onto the scraper blades or knives 12a. In all adjustments of the auxiliary scraper 16, however, the bar 18 remains parallel to the center beam 1, so that forward or rearward movements of the follower bar 10 and of the said auxiliary scraper, do not change the vertical adjustments of the latter. When the foot is pressed on the foot piece 23, the

auxiliary scraper 16 will be raised, and when the foot is pressed on the foot piece 22 the said auxiliary scraper will be lowered.

What I claim is:

l. In a road drag or grader, the combination with a framework and transversely extensible bars mounted thereon, of a transverse follower movable forwardly and rearwardly on said frame, and drag bars pivotally connected to the ends of said follower and to the ends of said extensible bars.

2. In a road drag or grader, the combination with a framework and transversely extensible bars mounted thereon, of a transverse follower movable forwardly and rearwardly on said frame, drag bars pivotally connected to the ends of said follower and to the ends of said extensible bars, and means for drawing together and letting out the said extensible bars to vary the spacing of the front ends of said drag bars.

3. In a road drag or grader, the combination with a framework and transversely extensible bars mounted thereon, of a transverse follower movable forwardly and rearwardly on said frame, drag bars pivotally connected to the ends of said follower and to the ends of said extensible bars, and scraper blades or knives secured to said drag bars and projecting below the front end portions of the same.

1l. In a road drag or grader, the combination with a central longitudinally extended frame beam and a cross beam rigidly secured thereto, of extension bars telescopically movable on said cross beams, a transverse follower bar mounted for sliding movements on the rear portion of said center beam, and drag bars pivotally connected at their rear ends to the projecting ends of said follower bar and pivotally 4connected at their front ends to the outer ends of said extension bars.

5. In a road drag or grader, the combination with a central longitudinally extended frame beam and a cross beam rigidly secured thereto, of extension arms telescopically movable on said cross beam, a transverse follower bar mounted for sliding movements on the rear portion of said center beam, and drag barsadjustably pivoted at their rear ends to the projecting ends of said follower bar and pivotally connected at their front ends to the outer ends of said extension bars.

6. In a road drag or grader, the combination with a central longitudinally extended frame beam and a cross beam rigidly secured thereto, of extension bars telescopically movable on said cross beam, a transverse follower bar mounted for sliding movements on the rear portion of said center beam, and drag bars adjustably pivoted at their rear ends to the projecting ends of said follower bar and pivotally connected at their front ends to the outer ends of said extension, the said center beam having a pivoted front end section provided with a supporting wheel.

7 In a road drag or grader, the combination with a central longitudinally extended frame beam and a cross beam rigidly secured thereto, of extension bars telescopically movable on said cross beam, a transverse follower bar mounted for sliding movements on the rear portion of said center beam, drag bars adjustably pivoted at their ends to the projecting ends of said follower bar and pivotally connected at their front ends to the outer ends of said extension bars, the said center beam having a pivoted front end section provided with a supporting wheel, and a lever connection between the main and pivoted sections of said center beam serving to increase or decrease the pressure or to raise or lower the front ends of said drag bars.

8. In a road drag or grader, the combina tion with a framework and transversely ex tensible bars mounted thereon, ofl a transverse follower movable forwardly and rearwardly on said frame, drag bars pivotally connected to the ends of said follower and to the ends of said extensible bars, and an auxiliary scraper at the rear 'of the rear ends of said drag bars pivotally associated with said follower and movable forwardly and rearwardly therewith.

9. In a road drag or grader, the combination with a framework and transversely extensible bars mounted thereon, of a transverse follower movable forwardly and rearwardly on said frame, drag bars pivotally connected to the ends of said follower and to the ends of said extensible bars, an auxiliary scraper at the rear of the rear ends of said drag bars pivotally associated with said follower and movable forwardly and rearwardly therewith, means for vertically adjusting said auxiliary scraper comprising parallel links on the rear portion of said framework, a lifting bar supported by said links, and a guide on said auxiliary scraper mounted to slide on said bar.

l0. In a road drag or grader, the combination with a frame-work and transversely extensible bars mounted thereon, of a transverse follower movable forwardly and rearwardly on said frame, drag bars pivotally connected to the ends of said follower and to the ends of said extensible bars, an auxiliary scraper at the rear of the rear ends of said drag bars pivotally associated with said follower and movable forwardly and rearwardly therewith, means for vertically adjusting said auxiliary scraper comprising parallel links on the rear portion of said framework, a lifting bar supported by said links, a guide on said auxiliary scraper mounted to slide on said bar, and a reversely acting lever carried by said framework and connected to one of said links.

ll. In a road drag or grader, the combination with a central longitudinally extended frame beam and a cross beam rigidly secured thereto, of extension bars telescopically movable on said cross beam, a transverse follower bar mounted for sliding movements on the rear portion of said center beam, drag bars adjustably pivoted at their rear ends to the projecting ends of said follower bar and pivotally connected at their front ends to the outer ends of said extension, the said center beam having a pivoted front end section provided with a supporting wheel, and a vertically adjustable auxiliary scraper pivotally connected to the ends of said follower bar.

In testimony whereof I affix my signa ture in presence of two witnesses.

BENN IE VHITTEMORE. lVitnesses HARRY D. KILGoRn, F. D. MERCHANT.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

